Method of and machine for knitting heel fabrics in single unit stocking blanks



May 18, 1943. L BEERS 2,319,769

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR KNITTING HEEL FABRICS IN SINGLE UNIT STOCKING BLANKS Filed April 27, 1937 '7 Sheets-Sheet l @ggg/ggg@ :s Inl-5' g* Mfr?" i :i vmf 4 E N INVENTOR.

f fuufuneumirmrw: Jos/M L ffl ATTORNEY.

EN BY HEHE? .n

L. BEERS May 18, 1943.

Filed April 27. 1937 INVENTOR. Cjow/7i ff/b".

'af/P ATTORNEY.

May 18, 1943. 2,319,769

METHOD 0F AND MACHINE FOR NNITTING HEEL FABRICS IN SINGLE UNIT sTocKING BLANKs Filed Apvr1127, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet' 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

May 18A 1943 J. 1.. BEERs 2,319,769- CH FOR KNITTING H 4 METHOD 0F AND MA FABRICS IN SINGLE T STOCKING BLA Filed April '7 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

METHOD 0F AND MACHINEl FOR KNITTING HEEL FABRICS IN SINGLE UNIT STOCKING BLANKS Filed April 27, 1957 May 18,1943. J BEERS 2,319,769

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEv V METHOD QF AND MACHINE FOR KNITTING HEEL FABRICS l INSINGLE UNIT STOCKING BLANKS I Filed April 27, 1937 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

May- 18, 1943. J. l. BEERs 2,319,769 v METHOD. 0F AND MACHINE FOR' KNITTING HEEL FABRICS IN SINGLE UNIT STOCKING BLANKS Filed April 27, 1937 'l sheets-sheet '1 v @7. I *QZ-g INVENTCIR.

. c/ouyf 5cc/1s.

ATTORNEY.

Patented May 18, 1943A- ME'IHOD 0F AND MACHINE FOB vKNIT'IING: HEEL FABRICS IN SINGLE UNIT STOCKING BLANKS Joseph L. Beers, Bloomfield, N. J., assigner to Julius Kayser & Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.

- Application April Z7, 1937, Serial No. 139,129

51 Claims. (CL 66-82) The present invention generally relates to full fashioned or flat knitting machines, and particu- -larly to that type 0f machine intended to knit the heel portions into so-called single unit stocking blanks. More specifically, the invention contemplates a mechanism devised to produce the stockings constructed in accordance with the method disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial 'Number 106,828, led October 21, 1936.

It is a well recognized fact that full fashioned stockings, wherein the leg and foot are knitted on a single machine, inherently possess certain advantages' sought for, but seldom found, by the purchasing trade in the ordinary type of full fashioned stocking, wherein the leg is knitted on one machine known as the legger, and the foot is knitted on another machine known as the footer. Among such advantages are perfection and uniformity of matching and texture throughout the entire sheer portion of the stocking, which is present in the foot as Well as the leg; yet the purchasing public has heretofore been denied these advantages because the manufacture of single unit type of stockings has been limit'ed, and practically prohibited, due to the fact that the heretofore known methods devised for their production are rather involved and require expensive outlay, obviously placing the cost of manufacture on an exceedingly high scale and consequently necessitating a comparatively high selling price.

As generally known in the art, the leg portion and the foot portion of a single unit full fashioned stocking blank are knitted contiguously on one and the same machine. Heel tabs are subsequently knitted as a continuation ofthe leg portion, and after-'the blanks, with the completed heel tabs, are removed from the knitting machine,.the heel: tabs are`l looped to the adjacent section of the foot portion to form the stocking. This mode of procedure necessitates the utiliza'- tion of complicated machinery which, coupled with the required additional looping operation, places the cost of the single unit stocking production far above that of the ordinary full fashioned stocking and thus prohibits the sale of single unit goods at -prices reasonably competing with those of full fashioned stockings knitted in accordance with the old standard method, which emplfys two distinct and separate machines re,- spectively known as the legger and the footer.

The present invention, therefore, seeks to Drovde a me-hanism having an utmost simplified construction and capable of doing away with the .heretofore needed additional looping operation for the completion of the stocking which makes it possible to manufacture full fashioned stockings of the single unit type at a cost substantially at par with the manufacture of ordinary two unit type of full fashioned stockings, so that the public may be given the benefits 0f the advantages existing in single unit stockings.

It is the primary purpose of the invention to vprovide a mechanism capable of knitting a heell fabric onto the leg and foot portions of a single unit stocking blank while simultaneously interknitting the foot portion with the heel fabric as the knitting thereof progresses.

The invention is particularly `characterized in that my improved mechanism may be embodied in an ordinary footer, which may be converted in order to accomplish the results of the invention,

thus eliminating one of the greatest obstacles to the manufacture of single unit stockings, which obstacle arose' from the apparent necessity of requiring completely revised and rebuilt machines of complicated and expensive construction.

. The invention is further characterized by the fact that my improved mechanism is adapted to operate for automatically transferring the foot fabric of a single unit stocking blank for direct interlooping connection with the heel fabric during the knitting of the latter, whereby the leg,

y heel, and foot become contiguous and integral parts.

Other important objects and advantages of thev invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention and its mode of opq eration may be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art, I have, in the accompanying drawings and in the detailed description based thereupon, set out a possible embodiment of the Figure 5 is a detail in front elevation of certain elements of the transfer comb control operating means.

Figure 6 is aside elevation of the same.

Figure 7 is a detail in front elevation of certain other elements of the transfer comb control operating means.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 9 is a detail of the transfer comb control.

Figure 10 is a cross section taken on line I0--I0 of Figure 9.

Figurel 11 is a diagram illustrating the adjustable positioning and resulting action of the transfer comb control.

Figure 12 diagrammatically shows the preferred method of transferring the loops of the foot fabric for interknitting connection with the heel fabric.

Figure 13 diagrammatically illustrates a modication in the method of transferring the loops of the foot fabric.

Figure 14 diagrammatically illustrates a further modication in the method of transferring the loops of the foot fabric.

Figure 1'5 is a diagrammatic representation of the interknitted foot and heel fabrics.

Figure 16 is an elevation of a full fashioned stocking blank of the single unit type.

Figure 1'7 is a similar view of the lower portion of the blank, with the heel tabs inserted therein.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic representation illustrating the manner of folding the blank for the topping-on operation.

With more particular reference t the drawings, wherein like characters o f reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, it is to be understood that I have shown only those parts of a full fashioned hosiery knitting machine which are essential to the clear understanding of the present invention, the basic structure of `the f knitting machine itself being that of the commonly used footer with which anyone skilled in the art is Well acquainted.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodimen't of my invention, the usual machine frame is indicated at I and carries the center bed 2 about which are mounted a plurality of spaced knitting sections, designated in their entirety by the reference character 3. Each knitting section 3 essentially comprises the needle bar 4, the knock-over bits 5, and the dividers 6. The thread or yarn is fed to the knitting sections 3 by means of the carriers 'I depending from the carrier rods 8 mounted for reciprocation in the carrier rod bracket 9. The relative position, essential operation, and function of the needle bar, knock-over bits, dividers, and carriers are .well known by those skilled in the art and, therefore, need not be described in detail herein.

In accordance with the present invention, the needle bar 4 differs from the usual construction in that it is provided with two sets of knitting needles I0 and II, respectively, each disposed on the opposite end portions of the needle bar 4, and an intermediate set of non-knitting needles I2 arranged on the needle bar 4 between the two sets of knitting needles. Y

The sets of knitting needles I0 and II, of course, are adapted to knit in the usual way and, in accordance with the invention, each set is associated with one or more thread feeding carriers which, through the normal operation of the knitting machine, feed the yarn or yarns back and forth over said knitting needles.

As shown, the non-knitting needles I2 preferably consist of needles having short beards which prevent the loops in engagement therewith from being pressed off, in the manner and for the purpose to be later specified.r It is also possible to use ordinary knitting needles, instead of shortened beard needles, and in this event the usual presser edge, which is disposed opposite said needles, may be removed so that the needles will not press off, or the needles may be so mounted as to be moved away from their associated presser edge which will likewise prevent pressing off.

Associated with the non-knitting needles I2 are a pair of adjacent large transfer combs I3 and I4 respectively, and a pair of small transfer combs I and I6, one of the small transfer combs being disposed on the outer side of one of the large combs I3, and the other small comb I6 being disposed on the outer side of the remaining large comb I4. The combs I3, I4, I5, and I6 are each individually connected to a separate transfer bar, as shown at I'I, I8, I9, and 20 respectively, said transfer bars being slidable in spaced brackets 2I supported upon a shaft 22 rigidly connected to an arm 23 secured to a rocking shaft 24 mounted in bearing 25 upon the rear portion of the knitting machine I.

Arranged over certain of the knitting needles I0, II of each knitting section 3 are narrowing combs 26, 21 respectively, mounted upon rods 28, 29 slidably received in bearings 30', provided vupon the transfer bar brackets 2 I.

As more clearly represented in Figure 3 of the drawings, the narrowing comb 26 mounted on the rod 28, and the narrowing comb 21 mounted on the rod 29, are intended to move inwardly of the knitting section or in the directions indicated by the arrows A, B, whereas the sets of transfer combs I3, I5 mounted on bars I1, I8 and the sets of transfer combs I4, I6 mounted on bars I9, 20 are intended to move outwardly of the knitting section or in the directions represented by the arrows C, D.

The mechanism for imparting the relative movements of the various transfor combs in the manner above stated will now be described.

Arranged in the central portion of the knitting machine is a narrowing head consisting of a pair of narrowing nuts 30, 3| each in engagement with a screw threaded portion 32, 33 of a spindle 34 rotatably mounted in a plurality of spaced paralleling supports 35 rigidly secured to the xed shaft 22. It is to be noted that the screw threaded portions 32, 33 of the spindle 34 are formed to extend in opposite directions so that, with the rotation of said spindle 34, lthe respective narrowing nuts will move in opposite directions, for the purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

The spindle 34 is rotated by means of a pawl and ratchet mechanism which consists of a ratchet wheel 36 acted upon by a dog 3l actuated by a rod 38 connected to one end of anoscillating lever 39 pivoted at its intermediate portion upon the machine frame I, as shown at 40, and having at its other end a roller 4I adapted to coact with a cam 42 mounted on the main cam shaft 43, capable of shogging in the usual fashion during the normal operation of the knitting machine. Thus, with the rotation of the main cam shaft 43, the cam 42, when brought into operative relation with the roller 4I by the Shogging of said `main cam shaft, will act upon the roller and cause the lever 39 to oscillate about its pivot 40 for reciprocating the rod 38 and accordingly operate the dog 3'I to actuate .the ratchet wheel 36 imparting rotation to the narrowing spindle 34 which, by reason of its construction, will cause the narrowing nut 30 to move in the direction indicated'by the arrow E 2,319,769 43 fsi in Figure 2. The rouer ss is heid in positive and the narrowing nut 3| to move the direction indicated by the arrow F'in Figure 1.

I tigidly-con'nected to the narrow nuts 38 and 8l by means of integral wings' 44 are sleeves 45 and 448, respectively slidable on .shaft' 22 and each provided with an labutment 41 disposed to contact a stop 48 adjustably carried in a support 49, onesuch support being fixed to eachof thek nar- I- rowing comb carrying rods 28, 29. The stops 48 are constantly urged inclose contact'with their l respective abutments 49 by means of springs suitably connected to the rods 28 and 29 or their associated elements and to some convenient sta- Iridingengagement with the cam 84 by means of a spring 88 connectedlto the lever 88 and to a suitable portion of the machine frame, as shownY at 89 in Figure 2.

Guided in a forked bracket 18 connected to the front table 1I of themachine frame I, and attached to the free end of lever 88, is an upwardly tionary 'part of the machine frame, forinstance, i

as is indicated at 50.

From the foregoing, it will be understoodthatv the operation of the narrowing 'headthrough the pawl and ratchet mechanism in the manner here'- inbefore stated will cause the abutment 41 of the sleeves 45 and 46 to advance stepby stepfand thus displace the respective narrowing cornbs`28v and 21 to move in the various directions already.l

. mentioned over a predetermined number of needles, the predetermined number of needles over which the narrowing combs move being determined by the adjustment of thevmechanism, a matter 'well understood by those versed' inthe art. The narrowing combs 26 and 21l are in tended to narrow the .heel fabric at the proper time for shaping the same in the usual manner by forming the narrowing lines N as represented in Figure 1'1.

Sliding movement isirnparted to the transfer combs I3, I4, I5, and I8 by -means of a specially devised control Vwhich may be stated to comprise a, shaft 5I rotatably carried in spaced bearing arms 52 secured upon the fixed shaft 22.

Rigidly mounted upon the intermediate portion of the rotatable shaft 5I is acylindricalmember 53 having its end surfaces 54 recessed out to provide grooves 55 defining rims 55"having camming surfaces 58'- over which wide rollers 5S mounted on plates 51, one plate being connected to the transfer bar I8 carryingthe small transfer comb I5, and the other plate being connected projecting arm 12 disposed to engage an abutment 13 rigid with an arm 14 flxedly-secured to the shaft 5I, At this point, it is to be noted that the arm 14 is normally urged downwardly, for example, by means of a coil spring 15 having one of its ends connected to the abutment 13 and its other end connected to an extension 18 conveniently secured to one of the transfer bar brackets 2l. Because of this feature, and due to the rigid connection between the. arm 14 and the shaft 5I, it will be understood that the latter is constantly urged to rotate in one direction. However, the rotating movement of the shaft 5I and, consequently, the downward movement of the arm 14 are limited, as more clearly shown in-Figures '1 and 8, by means of a stop pin 11 adapted to engage one ofthe bearing arms 52 and carried by y a collar 18 fixed on the shaft 5I.

From the foregoing description of the control and its operating means, it will be appreciated that when the cam 84 isvbrought in operative relation with the roller 85 through the shogging of the main cam shaft 43, the leverl66 will rock causing a vertical reciprocation of th'e 'arm 66.

Due to the cooperative association of :said arm.

86 with the arm 12, the shaft 5I is thereby oscillated, resulting in imparting. an oscillating movement to the cylindrical member 53. This oscillating movement of the cylindrical mamber 53,

to the transfer bar 20 carrying the small transfercomb I6.` The connection between the plates 51 and their respective transfer bars I8 and 20 is preferably adjustable and.' accordingly. said plates may be provided withv elongated slots 58 through whichpass screws 59,- or flike fastening elements. 'I'he adjustability of the plates- 51. is

primarily intended to vary the position of the rollers 56 in relation to-the surface of the cam rims 58 for the purpose to be hereinafter fully t contact with a stop blocks 83 fixed on each of the transfer bars I1 and I9,Acarrying the large transfer combs I3 and I4 respectively'. I

The control just described is intended to be operated automatically and in timed relation with the function of the knitting machine. For this' a cam 84 adapted. when the shaft is moved to its shogged position, to engage a roller 88 rotatably supported upon a rocking lever 88 having one end pivoted to the machine frame, as -shown at of course, displaces the contact point of the sur'- face of the cam rim 56' with the rollers 58, causing the same to move longitudinally of the knitting machine. Thus the osciliatingmovement of the cylindrical member 53 is translated into a reciprocating movement, which reciprocating' movement is transmitted through the plates 51 to the transfer bars I8 and 28 respectively connected thereto, and to the transfer bars I1 and I9 by reason of the stop blocks 63 thereon, which blocks are disposed yin the path` of movement of t the stop 82 carried by the plates 51.

As previously stated, the plates 51 may be adjusted to Vary the position of the rollers 5S in relation to the canming surface of the cam rims 58'. This adjustment is for the purpose of determining the desired number of needles over which the transfer combs III-I5 and Ill-I8 will be moved by the control mechanism. Obviously by setting the rollers 58 nearer to. or further away from. the lowest point of the' camming surface of the cam rims the action of said surface .on the roller 'will be advanced or retarded and, accordingly, cause the initial movement of the transfer action to occur sooner or later during the operative function of the transfer bar control mechanism.

Upon'referring to the diagram shown in Figure 11, the adjustable positioning of the rollers 58 and resulting action of the control member 53 thereon will clearly appear.

v purpose, the main 'cam shaft 43 is provided with Let it be assumed that the curve S repmsents the surface outline of the cam rims 5E' and .is so graduated between the pcint'l? and the point P3 that when the point P3has moved to the level indicated by the dotted lines L-L the transfer 'combs will have moved the distance of three needles, inasmuch as the points PI, P2, and P3 will have successively displaced the roller 56 to the positions IP, 2P, and 3P, each representing the distance between one needle to another. Therefore, if the roller 56 is initially set at the position IP, said roller will start to move from the position IP only when the point PI has reached the level L--L. Likewise, if the roller is initially set at the position 2P, it will remain unaffected until the point P2 has reached the level L-L. It will be understood that the positioning of the roller 56 in relation tothe camming surface of the rims 56' is attained by setting the connection between the plates 51 and their respective transfer bars and by regulating the stops 60 and 8| accordingly.

In practicing the invention, I find it preferable to displace the small transfer combs I5 and I6 for a greater number of needles than the large transfer combs I3 and I4. That this mode of operation may be obtained, the stops 62 are adjusted to rest at a predetermined distance from the associated stop blocks 63 on the transfer bars lI1 and I9 respectively carrying said large transfer combs I3 and I4. The distance indicated by the arrow G between the stops 62 and the stop blocks 63 preferably correspond to the distance of one needle so that the transfer bars I8 and 20 to which the plates 51 are directly connected, will move for a distance corresponding to one needle Withthe initial movement of said plates, whereas the transfer bars I1 and I9 will remain stationary and begin their movement only when the stops 62, during the continued movement of the plates 51, have been brought in contact with the stop blocks 63.

With the plates 51 in inoperative position, the distance G between the stops Gland the stop blocks 63 is maintained by means of an adjustable stop 19 mountedon each transfer bar I1 and I9 and disposed to abut adjacent portions of certain of the transfer rod brackets 2|, the stop 19 being yieldably held thereagainst by springs 80. The distance G referred to is also assured by reason of the fact that the stops 6I carried on the plates 51 are normally urged against the abutting surface by springs 8I.

The machine being adjusted in the manner above defined, it will be understood that the small transfer combs will first move by themselves for a distance of one needle and then the small and large transfer combs will move simultaneously. Thus, as shown in Figure 12, the transfer fingers 82 which represent the transfer fingers carried by the small transfer comb I6 (Figures 1 and 3) are displaced for a distance of three needles, Whereas the transfer fingers 83, representing the transfer fingers carried by the large transfer comb I4, are displaced for a dis.

tance of two needles.

Of course, it is to be understood that by adjusting the stops 62 so that the same will constantly bear upon the stop blocks 63, both the small and large transfer combs will move in unison during the entire transfer operation, and by setting the position of the rollers 56 with respect to camming surface of the cam rims 56' in the manner hereinbefore stated, the transfer combs may be caused to move over a definitenumber of needles, for instance, over two needles or over one needle, as represented in Figures 13 and 14 respectively.

The method of knitting heel fabrics in single unit stocking blanks upon my improved machine is carried out in the following manner:

The full fashioned stocking blank 84, such as own in Figure 16, is of the usual construction, consisting of the welt 85, leg 86, high splice heel 81, instep 88, sole 89, and toe 98, all being knitted continuously on one machine. The blank is adapted to be severed at the points 9i for the insertion of the heel tabs 92 (Figure v17). Subsequent to the severing of the blank 84 at point 9|, the foot portion is folded over the leg portion and the sole sections 89 are folded upon the instep section 88 in the manner more clearly represented in Figure 18 of the drawings. By folding the stocking blank in the manner specifled, it will be appreciated that the marginal row of loops 93 of the high splice heel 81 and the marginal row of loops 94 of each of the sole as indicated at 85, so that said rows of loops 93 and 94 as more clearly shown in Figure 3, may

be topped on or transferred to the needle bar 4 of the footer converted in accordance with the invention to knit the heel tabs.

It is to be noted that because of the folding of the blank, as above set forth, the loops of the foot and sole sections are reversed so that in the topping or transfer operation by the usual means shown at 96 in Figures 1 and 2, the sinker portion of the marginal row of loops 94 of each sole section 89 will engage the corresponding nonknitting needles I2 of the converted footer, whereas the needle portion of the marginal row of loops 93 of the high splice heel section 81 will engage the associated knitting needles I8 and II of said footer in the manner more clearly represented in Figure 3 of the drawings.

The loops 93 and 94 having been thus transferred on the needles of my improved machine, the same is now ready for operation. The carriers are actuated in the well known fashion to lay the yarn or yarns across the knitting needles I0 and II soas to knit the courses 96 of the heel fabric 81. During the knitting of the heel fabric, the loops 94 are gradually transferred for interknitting engagement with said fabric by operation of the transfer mechanism already described.

As stated, the loops 94 on-the non-knitting needles I2 may be transferred the distance of one or more wales, as necessity or preference may dictate. As also stated, in Figure 14 I have illustrated the single wale transfer. According to this mode of operation of knitting the heel tabs and simultaneously joining the sole portions thereto, the transfer fingers 82 and 83 descend through the usual dipping motion of the knitting machine, pick all the loops 94 off the nonknitting needles vI2 and simultaneously transfer said loops one needle distance, which places each end loop successively in engagement with the end knitting needle of the row of needles I0. An intermediate course may be knitted on the needles I8 between each transfer operation to provide the necessary fabric for the -formation' of the heel and to insure sufficient elasticity to the foot. This operation is repeated until all the loops 94 on the non-knitting needles I2 have been transferred the distance of one needle at a time and interknitted to form a seam 91 uniting the sole portions 89 to the heel-tabs 92.

In Figure 13, I have illustrated the two wale Although such openings are not seriously detrip mental to the quality of the fabric, the defect may be overcome by following the method of operation shown in Figure 12. which represents my preferredmode of operation. In practicing this mode of operation, the transfer fingers 82 and 83 are adapted, because of the described adjustment of the mechanism, to simultaneously pick off the loops 94 and while .the points 83 are -moved the distance of two needles, the points 82 are moved the distance of three needles. It will be understood that by proceeding in this manner, the first wale 99 is left without transfer loops. While it is also found preferable to knit three extra courses between each transfer course', the holes which might result thereby are not visible because the connections or joinings are all on the second and third Wale of the heel tabs, said second and third wales usually being tighter than the first wale, which is then free to act as a covering for whatever small holes may appear at the point of juncture between the sole fabrics and the heel fabrics.

The transfer operation causes the marginal loops of the foot fabric to become interlooped with the adjacent marginal loops of the heel tab fabric and, accordingly, no seaming operation is necessary to unite` the same. Further, due to the transfer of the loops in the manner specified, the foot fabric is turned automatically at substantially right angles to the leg fabric, a's shown in Figure 15.

It will be appreciated that while the narrowing combs 26 and 21, and .the transfer combs l3-l4, and |,5-l6 are intended to operate in unison when the narrwings N in the heel fabrics are to be made, the operation of said narrowing combs 26 and 21 may be disrupted without interfering with the proper function of the transfer combs I 3-l4 and l5-I6. This may be accomplished by simply disengaging the dog 31 from its associated ratchet wheel 36 which, of course, will stop the rotation of the spindle 34 and, accordingly, prevent the narrowing function of the nuts 30 and 3| upon said narrowing combs.

Obviously, the invention is capable of several modifications and those modifications which come within the scope of the subjoined claims are to be considered within the spirit of the'invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a knitting machine of .the charac-ter described, a `set of knitting needles and a set of non-knitting| needles adapted to have lmitted fabric topped thereon, means for knitting courses as a continuation of the fabric topped on the knitting needles, and means for interknitting the loops of the fabric topped on the non-knitting needles with certain loops of said courses during the knitting thereof.

2. In a knitting machine of the character described, a set of knitting needles and a set of non-knitting needles adaptedto have knitted fabric topped thereon, means for knitting courses as a continuation of the fabric topped on the knitting needles, and means for interknitting at predetermined intervals the loops of the fabric topped on the non-knitting needles with certain loops of -certain of said courses during the knitting thereof.

3. In a knitting machine of the character described, a set of knitting needles and a set of non-knitting needles adapted to have knitted fabric topped thereon, means for knitting courses as a continuation of the fabric topped on the knitting needles, and means for transferring the loops from the -non-knitting'needles onto `certain of the knitting needles for interknitting said loops with certain loops of said courses during the knitting thereof.

4. In a knitting machine of the character described, a set of knitting needles and a set of non-knitting needles adapted to have knitted fabric topped thereon, means -for knitting courses as a continuation of the fabric topped on the knitting needles, and means for transferring at predetermined intervals the loops from the nonknittlng needles onto certain of the knitting needles for interknitting said loops with certain loops of certain of said courses during the knitting thereof.

5. In a knitting machine of the character described, a set of knitting needles and a set of non-knitting needles adapted to have knitted fabric topped thereon, sets of slidable transfer combs associated with the non-knitting needles and operable to pick up the loops from said nonknitting needles and transfer s'aid loops onto certain of the knitting needles, and means for controlling the 4transfer movement of said sets of combs.

6. In a knitting machine of the character described, a set of knitting needles and -a set of non-knitting needles adapted to have knitted fabric topped thereon, pairs of transfer combs associated with the non-knitting needles and operable to pick up the loops from said non-knitting needles and transfer said loops onto certain of the knitting needles, means for imparting movement to one comb of each of the pair independently of the other comb of each pair, and a mechanism for controlling and regulating the distance traveled' by Athe mentioned independently moving combs. f

7. In a. knitting machine of the character described, a set of knitting needles and a set of non-knitting needles adapted to havey knitted fabric topped thereon, sets of slidable transfer combs associated with the non-knitting needles and operable to pick up the loops from said nonkni-tting needles and transfer said loops onto certain of the knitting needles, -a mechanism for controlling the transfer movement of said sets of combs, and means for varying the action of said mechanism to determine the movement of the combs.

8. In a knitting machine of the character described, a set of knitting needles and a set of non-knitting needles vadapted to have knitted fabric topped thereon, sets of slidable transfer combs associated with :the non-knitting needles and operable to pick 'up the loops from said non-knitting needles and transfer said loops onto certain 0f theknitting needles, a mechanism for controlling thel transfer movement of said sets of combs, and means for varying the action of said mechanism -to Idetermine the movement of the combs, said means including a' movement transmi-tting member and an element associated with certain of said combs and with said member and adapted to transmit the movement of the latter to the former, said element being Iadjustable in relation to said member to modify its movement transmi-tting action.

9. In a knitting machine for producing an insert element in a fabric blank by knitting said element to a course portion of the blank, and successively transferring loops of another course portion ofthe blank to loops of said element as the element is knitted, the combination of loop forming and positioning mechanism comprising transfer point means and a loop-manipulating implement structure including a plurality of implement groups, the loops of said first course portion to be topped onto the implements of one of Vsaid groups and the loops of said other course portion to be topped onto the implements of another of said groups, and means for actuating and controlling said loop forming and positioning mechanism providing for knitting on said first group, and transferring loops from said other group to loops formed on said first group.

10. In a knitting machine for producing an insert element in a fabric blank'by knitting said element to ya course portion of the blank, and

successively transferring loops of 'another course onto the implements of one of said groups and the loops of said other course portion to be topped onto the implements of another of said groups, and means for actuating and controlling said loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism providing for knitting and narrowing on said rst group, and transferring loops from said other group to loops formed on said first group.

11. In a knitting machine fc-r knitting a heel portion onto a leg and foot portion of a combination stocking blank, a mechanism operable to knit heel `courses onto the leg portion of the blank and a mechanism operable during the knitting of said courses to interknit the inner edge of said heel portion into the adjoining portion of the foot fabric.

12. In a knitting machine for knitting heel portions into a combination foot land leg stocking blank having the foot portion knitted onto the leg, means adapted to support separately those portions of the last course of the leg fabric and those portions of the first course of the foot fabr ric to which heel portions are to be knitted, and mechanisms operable to knit heel courses into lsai-d course of the leg and during the knitting of the following heel courses, to knit successively transfer point means operable to position in.

overlapping relationship loops of the leg fabric and loops of the heel tabs during the knitting of the latter to form an interknit connection therebetween.

14. In a knitting machine of the character described, a set of knitting needles adapted for knitting courses of loops, a set of non-knitting needles adapted to have knitted fabric topped thereon; and means for transferring the loops from the non-knitting needles onto certain ofthe knitting needles for interknitting in overlapping relation said loops with certain loops of the courses during the knitting thereof by the knitting needles.

l5. In a knitting machine for producing an insert element in a fabric blank by knitting said element to a course portion of the blank and successively transferring loops of another course portion of the blank to loops of said element as the element is knitted, the combination of a plurality of implement groups, the loops of the rst course portion to be topped onto the implements of one of said groups, and the loops of the other course portion to` be topped nto the implements of another of said groups; one ofsaid groups adapted for knitting courses as a continuation of the fabric topped thereon; and a loop positioning mechanism operable for transferring loops from said other group to loops formed on the knitting group to interknit in overlapping relation with said-loops with certain loops of the other group. '16. In a knitting machine for producing an insert element in a fabric blank by knitting said element to a course portion of the blank, and successively transferring loops of another course portion of the blank to loops of said element as the element is knitted, the combination of a plurality of implement groups, the loops ofthe first course portion to be topped onto the implements of one of said groups, and the loops of the other course portion to be topped onto the implements of another of said groups, one of said groups adapted to knit courses as a continuation of the fabric topped thereon; a loop positioning mechanism operable for transferring loops from said other group to loops formed on said first group for interknitting in overlapping relation said loops with certain loops of the other group; and a fashioning mechanism operable for providing the narrowing of the courses knitted on said first group.

17. In a knitting machine for producing an insert element in a fabric blank by knitting said element to a course portion of the blank, and successively transferring loops of .another course portion of the blank to loops of said element as the element is knitted, the combination of a loop positioning mechanism including transfer point means; a loop forming and manipulating implement structure including a plurality of implement groups, the loops of said first course portion to be topped onto the implements of one of said groups, and the loops of said other course portion to be topped onto the implements of another of said groups; means for manipulating said irnplement structure for knitting on said first group; and means for manipulating said positioning mechanism for transferring loops from said other group to loops formed on said first group.

18. In a knitting machine for producing an insert element in a fabric blank 'by knitting said element to a course portion of the blank, and' successively transferring loops of another course portion of the blank to loops of said element as the element is knitted, the combination of. loopmanipulating mechanism comprising transfer point means; and a loop-manipulating implement structure including a plurality of implement groups, the loops of said first course portion to be topped onto the implements of one of said have loops of one course in a fabric topped thereon and to knit courses of loops as continuations thereof; a set of non-knitting implements adapted to have loops of another course in said fabric topped thereon; a wideA transfer comb associated with the non-knitting implements, and 'of a width great enough to remove from the nonknitting implements al1 of the fabric course loops topped thereon; and means for manipulating said combwhereby the loops on the non-knitting implements are transferred successively onto certain of the knitting implements so that the transferred loops may be interknitted successively in overlapping relation with certain loops of the 4 courses as knitted by the knitting implements.

20. In a knitting machine of the character described, a set of knitting needles adapted to have loops of one course in a fabric topped thereon and to knit courses of loops as continuations thereof; a set of non-knitting needles adapted to have loops of another course in said fabric topped thereon; a wide transfer comb associated with the non-knitting-needles and of a width great enough to remove from the knitting needles all of the fabric course loops topped thereon; a narrow transfer comb of a width less than a course of loops knitted by said knitting needles for removing from certain knitting needles the associated loops of the knitted course for narrowing the same; and means for manipulating said comb whereby the loops on the non-knitting needles are liftedV successively from the non-knitting needles and successively transferred in overlapping interknit engagement with the loops of the successive courses as knitted and narrowed by said knitting needles and said narrow comb.

21. In a knitting machine of the character described, a set of vknitting needles and a set of non-knitting needles adapted to have knitted fabric topped thereon, means for knitting courses as a continuation of the fabric topped on the' knitting needles, means for transferring the loops from the non-knitting needles onto certain of the knitting needles for interknitting said loopswith certain loops of said courses during the knitting thereof, and means associated with a numberof knitting needles for transferring the loops there/ on to narrow certain of said courses.

. 22. In a knitting machine for producing an insert element in a fabric blank by knitting said element to a course portion of the blank, fashioning said element and successively transferring loops of another course portion of the blank to loops of said element as the element is knitted and fashioned, the combination of loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism comprising a loop-manipulating implement structure including bearded implements embodying a plurality of groups, the loops of said first course portion to be topped onto the implements of one of said groups and the loops of said other course portion to be topped onto the implements of another of said groups, narrowing point means associated 769- 1 i with' seid nrst group, and transfer point means. associated with said other group, andmeans 1for actuating and controlling said loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism providing for knitting and narrowing on said first group, transferring loops fromsaid other group to loops formed on said first group andpreventlng the closing of the beards of said other group at timeswhen the implements of said other group would cast off loops.

23. In a knitting machine for producing an insert element in afabric blank by knitting said element to a course portion of the blank, fashioning said element and successively transferring loops of another course portion of the blank to loOps of said element as the element is knitted and fashioned, the combination of loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism comprising a loop-manipulating implement structure including bearded implements embodying groups having long and'short beards, respectively, the loops of said first course portion to be topped onto the implements of the long-beard group. and the loops of said other course portion to be topped onto the implements of the short-beard group, narrowing point means associated with the longbeard group, and transfer point means associated with the short beard group, and means for actuating and controlling said loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism providing for knitting and narrowing on said long-beard group, transferring loops from said short-beard group to loops .formedon said long-beard group and preventing prising a loop-manipulating implement structureV including bearded implements embodying an outer and an inner group at each side of the center of the blank, the loops of each of said first course portions at opposite sides of the blank to be topped onto the implements of the adjacent outer group and the loops of each of said other course portions to be topped onto the implements of the adjacent inner group, narrowing point means associated with said outer groups. and transfer point means associated with said inner groups. and means for actuating and controlling said loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism providing for knitting and narrowing on said outer groups, transferring loops from the inner groups to loops formed on the outer groups and preventing the closing of the beards of the inner groups at times when the implements 0f the inner groups would cast olif loops. l

25. In a full-fashioned stocking blank knitting machine for producing half heel pocket elements on a combined leg and vfoot blank by knitting]- to loops of said elements as the elements are knitted and fashioned, the combination of loop. manipulating and fashioning mechanism comprising a loop-manipulating implement structure including bearded implements embodying at each side of the center of the blank a group having long beards and a group having short beards, the loops of each of said rst course portions at opposite sides of the blank to be topped onto the implements of the adjacent long beard group and the loops of each of said other course portions to be topped onto the implements of the adjacent short beard group, narrowing point means associated with said long beard groups, and transfer point means associated with said short beard groups, and means for actuating and controlling said loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism providing for knitting and narrowing on said long beard groups, transferring loops from the short beard groups to loops formed on the long beard groups and preventing the closing of the beards of the short beard groups at times when the implements of the short beard group would cast Off loops.

26. In a knitting machine for producing a fabric blank insert element of a given number of courses by knitting the element to a course portionof the blank, fashioning the element and successively transferring loops of another course portion of the blank to a number of loops of the element less than said given number of courses as the element is knitted and fashioned, the com# bination of loop-manipulating and fashioning `mechanism comprising a loop-manipulating implement structure including a plurality of groups, the loops of said rst course portion to be topped onto the implements of one of said groups and the loops of said other course portion to be topped onto the implements of another of said groups, narrowing point means associated with said iirst group, and transfer point means associated with said other group, and means for actuating and controlling said loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism providing for knitting and narrowing on said rst group, and transferring loops from said other group to selected courses of loops formed on said first group.

27. In a knitting machine for producing a fabric blank insert element of a given number of courses by knitting the element to a course por tion of the blank, fashioning the element and successively transferring loops of another course portion of the blank to a number of loops of the element less than said given number of courses as the element is knitted and fashioned7 the combination of loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism comprising a loop-manipulating implement structure including bearded implements embodying a plurality of groups, the loops of said first course fportion to be topped onto the implements of one of said groups, and the loops of said other course portion to be topped onto the implementsvof another of said groups, and transfer point means associated withsaid other group, and means for actuating and controlling said loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism providing for knitting'and nar-v .successively transferring loops of another course portion of the blank to a number of loops of the element less than said given number of courses as the element is knitted and fashioned, the combination of loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism comprising a loop-manipulating implement structure including groups having long and short beards, respectively, the loops of said rst course portion to be topped onto the implements of the long beard group and the loops of said other course portion to be topped onto the implements of the short beard group, narrowing point means associated with said long beard group, and transfer point means associated with said short bear group, and means for actuating and controlling said loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism providing for knitting and narrowing on the long beard group, transferring loops from the short beard vgroup to selected courses of loops formed on said rst group, and preventing the closing of the short beards at times when the implements of the short beard group would cast oi loops.

29. In a full-fashioned stocking blank knitting machine for producing half heel pocket elements each of a given number of courses on a combined leg and foot blank by knitting said elements to course portions at opposite sides of the blank, fashioning said elements and successively transferring loops of other course portions of the blank at opposite sides of the blank to' a number of loops of the elements less than said given number of courses as the elements are knitted and fashioned, the combination of Vloop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism comprising a loop-manip-1 ulating implement structure including an outer and inner group at each side of the center of the blank', the loops of each of saidy first course portions at opposite sides of the blank to be topped onto the implements of the adjacent outer group and the loops of each of said other course portions to be topped onto the implements of the adjacent inner group, narrowing point means associated with said outer groups, and transfer point means associated with said inner groups, and means for actuating and controlling said loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism providing for knitting and narrowing on said outer groups, and transferring loops from the inner groups to selected courses of loops formed on said outer groups.

- 30. In a full-fashioned stocking blank knitting machine for producing half heel pocket elements each of a given number of courses on a combined leg and foot blank by knitting said elements to course portions at oppositesides of the blank, fashioning said elements and successively transferring loops of other course portions of the blank at opposite sides of the blank to a number of loops of the elements less than said given number of courses as the elements are knitted and fashioned, the combination of loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism comprising a loop-manipulating implement structure including bearded implements embodying an outer and an inner group at each side of the center; of the blank, the loops of each of said rstV course portions at opposite sides of the blank to be topped onto the implements of the adjacent outer group and the loops of each of said other course portions to be topped onto the implements of the adjacent inner groups, narrowing point means associated with said outer groups, and transfer point means associated with said inner groups, and means for actuating and controlling said loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism providing for comprising mechanism including needle means knitting and narrowing on said outer groups, transferring loops from the inner groups to selected courses of loops formed on said outer' groups, and preventing the closing ofthe beards of the inner'groups at times when the implements of the inner groups would cast off loops.

31. In a full-fashioned stocking blank knitting machine for producing half heel pocket elements each of a given number of courses on a combined leg and foot blank by knitting said elements to course portions at opposite sides ofthe blank, fashioning said elements and successively transferring loops of other'course portions of the blank at opposite sides of the blank to a number of loops of the elements less than said given number of courses as the elements are knitted and fashioned, the combination of loop-manipulating and fashioning mechanism comprising a loop-manipulating implement structure including bearded implements embodying at each side of the center of the blank a group having long beards and a group having short beards, the loops of each of said first course portions'at opposite sides of the beard groups to selected courses of loops formed on said long beard groups and preventing the closing of the beards of the short beard groups at times when the implements of the short beard groups would cast on' loops.

32. In combination in a straight knitting machine, a needle bar, a bank of needles on the bar to receive a course of yarn loops to which further loops are to be knitted, a bank of needle-likev implements also on said Ibar to receive another course of yarn loops, mechanism including means for actuating the needle bar to knit further courses to said first course and preventing the forming of loops on said needle-like implements,

and means for transferring loops from said im- 1 plements to selvage loops knitted by the needles i and causing the transferred loops'to be interknitted with the selvage loops.

33. In combination in a full-fashioned stock-f ing blank knitting machine, a needle bar, groups of needles on the bar to receive a course of loose loops at each side of the blank to which heel'tabs are to be knitted, groups of needle-like implements also on saidbar to receive other courses of loose loops adjacent to said first loose loop.

courses at each side of the blank, mechanism including means for actuating the needle bar to knit the heel tabs and preventing the forming of loops on said implements, and means for transferring loops from said implements to selvage loops of the heel tabs and causing the transferred loops to be interknitted with the selvage loops.

34. selvage loop i'rming and connecting means comprising mechanism including needle means for forming the selvage loops and transferring other loops and knitting them to the selvage loops, said connecting means including transfer bar means, and means including a cam adapted to operate transversely to the transfer bar means for imparting bar shifting movement thereto.

35. selvage loop forming and connecting meansfor forming the selvage loops and transferring other loops and knitting them to the selvagel loops, said connecting means including transfer bar means, and means including a double-sided cam adapted to operate transversely to the transfer bar means for shifting different transfer bars by its opposite sides, respectively.

36. Selvage loop forming` and connecting means comprising mechanism including needle means for forming the selvage loops and transferring 'other loops and knitting them to the selvage loops, said connecting means including transfer bar means, and means including a double-sided camladapted to operate transversely to the transfer bar means forsimultaneously shifting transfer bars in opposite directions.

3 7. In combination in a straight knitting machine, a needle bar, a bank of needles on the bar to receive a course of yarn loops to which further loops are to be knitted, a bank of needle-like implements also on said bar to receive another course of yarn loops, mechanismincluding means for actuating the needle bar to knit further courses to said rst course and preventing, the forming of loops on said needle-like implements, and means for transferring loops from said implements to selvage loops knitted by the needles and causing the transferred loops to be interknitted with the selvage loops, including transfer bar means and a cam for operation transversely to the transfer bar means to impart transfer movement thereto.

38. In combination in a full-fashioned stocking blank knitting machine, a needle bar, groups of needles on the bar to receive a course of loose loops at each side of the blank to which heel tabs are to be knitted, groups of needle-like implements also on said bar to receive other courses of loose loops adjacent to said first loose loop courses at each side of theblank, mechanism including means for actuating the needle bar to knit the heel tabsl and preventing the forming of loops on said implements, and means for transferring ously impart transfer'movement to transfer bars in opposite directions.

A39. In combination in a full-fashioned stocking blank knitting machine, a cam shaft, a needle bar, groups of needles on the bar to receive a course of loops at each side of the blank to which heel tabs are to be knitted, groups of needle-like implements also on said bar to receive other courses of loose loops adjacent to said first loop courses-at each side of the blank, mechanism including means for actuating the needle bar to knit the heel tabs and preventing the forming of loops on said implements, and means for transferring loops from said implements to selvage loops of the heel tabs and causing the transferred loops to be interknitted with the selvage loops including transfer bar means and a cam operated by the cam shaft transversely to the transfer bar means to simultaneously impart transfer. movement to 'transfer bars in opposite directions.

40. In combination in a full-fashioned knitting machine, a cam shaft, a needle bar, groups of standard needles of the beard type on the needle bar to-receive a course'of loops at each-side of the blank to which heel tabs are to be knitted,

'groups of needle-like implements of the same l a presser edge, mechanism including means for' actuating the needle bar to engage the standard needle beards to the presser edge to knit the heel tabs and preventing the forming of loops on said implements and the closing of said short beards at the time the needles cast off loops, a front narrowing shaft, brackets on said front narrowing shaft, means for narrowing in the heel tabs including narrowing rods supported by said brackets and a follower for cooperating with a cam on the .cam shaft, means for transferring loops from said implements to the inside selvag'e edges of the heel tabs and causing the transferred loops to be interknitted with the selvage edge loops including transfer bar means supported by said brackets and a cam carried by the front narrowing shaft operated by the cam shaft transversely to the transfer bar means to simultaneously impart transfer movement to transfer bars in opposite directions, and means wherebythe transferring means may be operated simultaneously with, and independently of, the narrowing means.

4l. A knitting machine of the character described having, in combination with a set of knitting needles and a set of non-knitting needles, a cam shaft for the machine, a loop transfer mechanism, a supporting frame for said transfer mechanism arranged to swing about a fixed pivot to impart substantially vertical movements to said transfer mechanism to cooperate with the sets of needles, and a mechanism for shifting the loop transfer mechanism from the set of non-knitting needles over certain of the knitting needles, comprising: a shifting cam supported on said frame CIK for oscillation to effect lengthwise movement of said transfer mechanism, a cam on the cam shaft, a cam follower, and an operating connection between said shifting cam and said cam follower rendered operative by the action of said cam on the main cam shaft.

42. In a flat knitting machine, in combination:

at least two sets of needles; means cooperatingl With one set of needles to knit successive courses thereby; and means for successively transferring loops from the other set of needles onto the first set of needles as the courses of loops are knitted by the latter.

43.4 In a flat knitting machine, in combination: a set of non-knitting needles adapted to have topped thereon a course of loops of a fabric; a set of knitting needles; means cooperating with said set of knitting needles to knit successive courses thereby; and means for successively transferring loops from the set of non-knitting needles onto the set of knitting needles as the courses are knitted by said set of knitting needles.

44. The method of producing a fabric, which comprises: knitting a blank to have adjacent loose loop course portions in walewise register; folding the blank near adjacent ends of said course portions to remove said portions from said register and to have them substantially in coursewise alignment; topping the aligned course portions onto loop manipulating implements of a knitting machine; knitting from one of said course portions 'a fabric insert while preventing the knitting of loops on said other course portion; transferring loops of the latter portion to loops knitted to said one course portion during the knitting of the insert; and transferring loops within the insert to shape the same. l

45. The method of knitting a heel portion onto a leg and foot portion of a combination stocking blank, comprising: placing a course of said foot portion upon a row of non-knitting needles and a course of said leg portion upon a row of knitting needles; knittingcourses upon said row ofknitting needles and, during theknitting thereof, interknitting the outer edge of the courses with the adjoining portion of the foot fabric; and narrowing said courses on the knitting needles.

46. The method of knitting full-fashioned stockings, consisting in: knitting the leg fabric, the high heel fabrics, the sole fabrics, the instep fabric, and the toe fabric as a unitary; folding the high heel fabrics towards each other to align the terminal courses thereof with each other and with the first courses of the sole fabrics; topping said courses upon the needles of a knitting machine; knitting courses to the high heel fabricsA while transferring successively loops of the iirst courses of the sole fabrics into knitting .position with the courses being knitted to the high heel fabrics and, simultaneously therewith, narrowing the knitted courses.

47. The method of knitting the heel portions into a combination foot and leg stocking blank having the foot portion knitted into the leg, comprising: separately supporting those portions of the last course of the leg fabric and those portions of the iirst course of the foot fabric to which the heel portions are to be knitted; knitting heel courses into said course of the leg and, during the knitting of the following courses, knitting loops of said supported foot fabric course into the inner selvedge edges of the heel portion and, simultaneously therewith, narrowing the heel courses.

48. In a method of knitting a heel fabric into a knitted combination leg and foot`hosiery blank having separated leg and foot portions: supporting a course of each of the separated leg and foot f portions in alignment upon needles of a knitting machine with the supported leg portions adjacent one another; knitting heel fabric courses as continuations of the supported courses of the leg portions; interknitting the supported coursesvof the separated foot portions with the heel fabric courses as the knitting thereof progresses; and narrowing certain of the heel fabric courses to shape .the fabric.

49. In a method of knitting a heel fabric into a knitted combination leg and foot hosiery blank having separated high heel and sole portions: supporting a course of each of the separated high heel and sole portions in alignment upon needles of a knitting machine; knitting heel fabric courses as continuations of the supported courses of the high heel portions; interknitting the supported courses of the separated sole portions with the heel fabric courses as the knitting thereof progresses; and narrowing certain of the heel fabric -courses to shape the fabric.

50. In a method of knitting a heel fabric into a knitted combination leg and foot hosiery blank having separated high heel and sole portions: supporting the last course of each of the high heel portions and the first course of each of the sole portions in alignment upon needles of a knitting machine; knitting heel fabric courses as continuations of the last course-of each of the high heel portions; interknitting the supported first courses of the sole portions with high heel fabric courses as the knitting thereof progresses; and narrowing certain of the heel fabric courses to shape the fabric.

51. The herein Vdescribed method to be performed on a flat knitting machine with two end sets of knitting needles, an intermediate set of non-knitting needles. la yarn carrier for feeding' V yarn to each set o! knitting needles, o.' pair of transfer point combs associated with the set of non-knitting needles, and a paix' of narrowing point combs, one associated with each set of knitting needles, the method comprising'the steps of: placing rows of loops of knitted fa-bric onto the three sets of needles; operating the yarn carriers to. feed yarn to the knitting needles for the tormation of courses oi loops thereon; actuating the 10 pair of transfer point combs to simultaneously transfer loops in opposite directions from the intermediate set o! non-knitting needles onto the end sets of knitting needles for thejinterknitting of loops placed on the non-knitting needles with the loops formed on the knitting needles; and actuating the pair ot narrowing point combs to narrow courses of loops knitted on the sets of knitting needles,

JOSEPH L. BEERS. 

